THE devastated loved ones of John MacKinnon, who was killed by the Skye shooter, reminded the twisted killer he has ripped two families apart — and left ten kids without a dad.
Sisters Anne and Christine MacKinnon slammed “callous coward” Finlay MacDonald, 41, after he was nailed for gunning down the father of six.
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And they told of the impact of the “selfish” monster’s actions on his own four children— as he faces at least 28 years in prison for murdering brother-in-law John, 47, plus trying to kill three others including his wife Rowena, 34, who broke her silence on the horror ordeal.
In a statement read by Detective Inspector Richard Baird, outside the High Court in Edinburgh, the bereaved pair said: “We must mention the other victims in this horrific situation.
“There are ten children who have now lost their dads.
“Finlay MacDonald’s own children are without a father as a result of his selfish and evil actions.
“John’s six children have been left without his love, support, guidance and humour.
“All those who knew him will never forget what a special man he was. John leaves an incredible legacy in his children.
“He will forever live in our hearts and memories.”
They also hit out at MacDonald’s “lies” — after he claimed to cops that he had been bullied and assaulted by their brother.
During his three week trial at the High Court in Edinburgh the jury was told that gun nut Finlay MacDonald, 41, launched a blade attack on wife Rowena after discovering “flirty” text messages between her and a work colleague.
The crazed killer also murdered his brother-in-law John MacKinnon during a manic hour of mayhem that brought carnage to a quiet rural community.
He’s been ordered to serve at least 28 years in prison before he becomes eligible to apply for release on parole after the “series of brutal and mindlessly violent attacks” that tore apart the peaceful isle of Skye.
After he was nailed by a jury for shooting dead the distillery worker at his home in Teangue, Skye, the family added: “To hear lies spoken about John was devastating.
“Anyone who knew him would recognise these as a complete fabrication. These lies were presented as the truth and unchallenged in court.
“John despised bullies and found bullying abhorrent.”
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The sisters told of their “long and anguishing wait” for justice for the “loyal husband and great father” since MacDonald’s bloody rampage on August 10, 2022. They added: “It has been a long, dark, heartbreaking road to get here.
“It should never be forgotten that John was defenceless at the time of his murder.”
John’s wife Lyn-Anne, 45, told the trial how she desperately tried to compress his wounds after he was shot by her brother.
The sisters added: “He was inhumanely shot three times in his own home whilst making breakfast for his children.
“Murdered by Finlay MacDonald, a callous coward whose actions have traumatised all these involved.
“There is no place in society for such a violent individual. Our brother was a great man, a friend to all. His funeral on Skye — attended by more than 600 — was testament to his standing in the community.”
They hailed top prosecutors plus Rowena and the maniac’s other victims, John and Fay MacKenzie, both 65, for bravely giving evidence.
WEAPON'S HAUL
IN MacDonald’s home officers found a huge haul of weapons.
As well as six shotguns they discovered a range of knives and bladed weapons belonging to MacDonald inside his home.
- These included:
- 4 hatchets
- 13 knives
- A lock knife
- A large axe
- He also owned six shotguns.
- These were:
- Four 410 shotguns
- Two 12 gauge shotguns
The sisters added: “We would like to extend thanks to the prosecution team and the jury for securing justice. We have huge admiration for Rowena MacDonald, John MacKenzie and his wife, Faye.
“The loss of John is immeasurable. The only thing that has kept us going is that justice would prevail with a verdict of murder.
“Anything less would not have recognised the impact of the loss of our brother.
“How can one individual cause such utter devastation and heartache and misery to so many people?”
We told how MacDonald was chased by cops as he headed to the mainland in his motor after stabbing Rowena and killing John.
He was then confronted after shooting the MacKenzies at their home in Dornie, Wester Ross.
And force chiefs last night hailed the bravery of officers who risked their lives to halt his “brutal and disturbing” bloodbath.
TIMELINE OF MAYHEM
BY JENNIFER JONES
August 10th, 2022
9am – The mayhem began at 9am as cops and mercy crews raced to a house in Tarskavaig, in the south of the island, where 32-year-old Rowena MacDonald was found seriously injured from a “frenzied knife” murder bid.
9:02am– The Scottish Ambulance Service received a call and rushed to the scene. At this point there are no details of any deaths.
9.20am – MacDonald armed himself with his recently purchased Mossberg 410 pump-action shotgun, a machete and four hundred cartridges, and drove 20 minutes across the island.
9.30am – Officers responded to reports a firearm had been discharged at a home just eight miles away in Teangue. MacDonald’s brother-in-law John MacKinnon, 47, is found dead within the property from gunshot wounds by wife Lyn-Anne, MacDonald’s sister.
9.35am – MacDonald got back in his Subaru car and reloaded his gun before driving around 45 minutes to the home of osteopath, John MacKenzie, to “confront” him over a back injury he claims was caused by the physician.
10.15am – Police on the mainland were alerted to a shooting in Dornie, Wester Ross, where Mr Mackenzie and his wife Fay, both 63, were found seriously wounded.
Mrs MacKenzie was in the garden and went into the living room before MacDonald shot her from “two feet” away in the face and head through the window. Mr Mackenzie was shot at point blank “shielding” his wife.
1:30pm– Police Scotland post confirmed a 39-year-old Finlay MacDonald had been arrested at the Mackenzie’s home.
August 11th, 2022
4.30pm – Police confirm MacDonald had been charged in connection with Mr MacKinnon’s murder and the attempted murder of three others who were injured.
November 29 2024
MacDonald is jailed for life following a 12-day trial where the jury rejected his claims that his responsibility was diminished due to “abnormality of mind”.
He’ll need to wait at least 28 years before being eligible for parole.
Detective Superintendent Lorna Ferguson said: “They followed his vehicle and put themselves at extreme risk by pursuing him into a house whilst shots were being fired.
“Their actions brought this incident to an end without further loss of life.”
She said her “thoughts and sympathies” were with the victims’ loved ones.
DS Ferguson added: “Finlay MacDonald displayed an incomprehensible level of violence and he had a lasting and devastating impact on the families involved and indeed entire communities.
“I hope today’s verdict will bring some comfort to those affected as they continue to grieve and recover.”
Locals recalled the horror attacks.
Rev Gordon Matheson, ex-minister at Skye’s Sleat and Strath Free Church, said: “The feeling that best described what happened that day was betrayal. Something precious was ripped apart.”
Councillor John Finlayson admitted residents were still reeling from MacDonald’s rampage two years on.
He said: “There will be people who are still struggling to come to terms with the severity of what happened. I don’t think we can dismiss that after two years.”
Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for homicide, Moira Orr, said: “This has been a traumatic ordeal for all those affected by Finlay MacDonald’s shocking crimes.
“We ensured that all admissible evidence gathered was led at trial in order that justice was delivered for John and the other victims.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected at this difficult time.”